I admit I like Bill Willingham. I've read Fables and even the old Clockwork Storybook material of the delphi forums ,when it was on the internet and not in rare chapbook form. I also remember seeing this as a mini series a while back and thought to keep an eye out for it on PBS.
Well, I'm glad I did, but not as glad as I thought I'd be. 2 and a half stars.
Its about Joey Martin, a professional poker player (and amateur jerk). Not the glamorous ones you see on TV, a proposition player - who works for minimum wage at a casino to round out the tables for games. One evening after work, when a friend boasts he doesn't believe in souls, Joey offers to buy it for the price of one beer. A few hours later, he has 32 contracts on cocktail napkins and his life begins to get complicated when Bill, angel of the lord arrives hunting for the souls.
Its a fun little story, but ultimately I didn't like it for a few reasons. The first is Joey and some of the things he says. I know he's supposed to be a jerk, but he's not a likable one. What he says to his girlfriend is pretty cold and crass. The other is the minor characters/sidekicks. They suffer from a bad case of "Why am I supposed to care about these characters?" Especially as they meet their fates. Finally, there is the monologue by one of them to Joey's girlfriend that seems like a sampling of every nice guy live journal and thread post I've ever seen.
The art is good, if not spectacular. The concept great, and the character of the angels, devils and cast off gods is good. Michael's is particularly chilling - even if I don't agree with it.
All in all, not bad. Well worth a credit, but not keeping.
Likes: Characterization of the angels, gods and demons; One cunning player getting one past the heavenly host; Fate of those that sold their souls to Joey; Joey's concept of the afterlife; Art.
Dislikes: Joey and some of the sidekicks; Michael - warrior <> torturer/psycho; Nice guy monologue; Not seeing the struggle between Joey, his allies and the heavenly hosts.
Suggested for: Willingham fans, urban fantasy fans, folks who like the idea of human created reality.
Well, I'm glad I did, but not as glad as I thought I'd be. 2 and a half stars.
Its about Joey Martin, a professional poker player (and amateur jerk). Not the glamorous ones you see on TV, a proposition player - who works for minimum wage at a casino to round out the tables for games. One evening after work, when a friend boasts he doesn't believe in souls, Joey offers to buy it for the price of one beer. A few hours later, he has 32 contracts on cocktail napkins and his life begins to get complicated when Bill, angel of the lord arrives hunting for the souls.
Its a fun little story, but ultimately I didn't like it for a few reasons. The first is Joey and some of the things he says. I know he's supposed to be a jerk, but he's not a likable one. What he says to his girlfriend is pretty cold and crass. The other is the minor characters/sidekicks. They suffer from a bad case of "Why am I supposed to care about these characters?" Especially as they meet their fates. Finally, there is the monologue by one of them to Joey's girlfriend that seems like a sampling of every nice guy live journal and thread post I've ever seen.
The art is good, if not spectacular. The concept great, and the character of the angels, devils and cast off gods is good. Michael's is particularly chilling - even if I don't agree with it.
All in all, not bad. Well worth a credit, but not keeping.
Likes: Characterization of the angels, gods and demons; One cunning player getting one past the heavenly host; Fate of those that sold their souls to Joey; Joey's concept of the afterlife; Art.
Dislikes: Joey and some of the sidekicks; Michael - warrior <> torturer/psycho; Nice guy monologue; Not seeing the struggle between Joey, his allies and the heavenly hosts.
Suggested for: Willingham fans, urban fantasy fans, folks who like the idea of human created reality.
